[Doc]

well I see it like this.

You have hands that play well versus multiple players and hands that play well versus small numbers of players. The hands that do well against multiple players are hands like the small pairs and suited connectors or Ace-suited. When you make a flush or a set you get paid off for all the times you have to fold on the flop. With other hands, the more people who see the flop the worse off you are in general, as you are typically looking to make (or leverage your pocket) pairs. Some hands like Ace-big suited combine both aspects so you can vary the play depending on other condititions.

However, limping into a multiway pot with AK isn't too clever IMO - Say the flop come K63 rainbow. Yippee you think. Well you could easily be behind to the guy who played K6s, or 63s due to the large number of callers. When you limp you are providing odds for hands like those to limp also - I want to get them out pre-flop or at least make them pay (incorrectly) to stay in.

The figures alien quotes are for heads-up. But by raising AK pre-flop you can force out a lot of hands like small pairs that have you beaten, and also reduce the numbers seeing the flop - who collectively could draw out on you. AK against 5 random hands is 28-14 against any individual one, but 28-72 behind overall. You may even get 'weak calls' before you to fold to your raise and get some dead money in the pot.

I understand what Jez is saying, but I think the answer is a bigger raise pre-flop! The occasional call to mix it up is okay, esp from early position, but overall I think you have to raise a hand like this. As Mr. Muze has in his post, I'll look to check it down if I get my flop bet called and I haven't improved. Bear in mind however, that nearly 1 in 4 times where there isn't an ace or king on the flop you'll get one on the turn or the river!

As for the question of the big (re-)raise - I'd let it go very quickly unless I was quite short-stacked in a tourney or I knew the other player to be insane! You are behind to any pair (almost - AKs is a marginal favourite over 22) AND out of position. You'll get better spots to make your money.